Manikin for bowling game



April 2, 1940v E. J. coLLlNs 2,195,446

MANIKIN FOR BOWLING GAME Filed Nov. 18. v1939 Ha/arci J ZZz'mS lNvENTOR .575 ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 2, 1940 PATENT oEElcE MANIKIN FOB BOWLING GAME Edward J. Collins, Los Angeles, Calif., asslgnor to Duane' W. Price, Chicago, Ill.

Application November 18, 1939, No. 305,103

15 Claims.

This invention relates to amusement apparatus and has as yits principal object the provision of improvements in a coin-controlled bowling game,

said improvements being in the nature of a manikin and mechanism for actuating the same to bowl a ball at tenpins.`

A more particular object is the construction of the manikin, means for adjusting the position of the same, and mechanism for moving the arm which bowls the ball, all as a unit.

A further object is the provision of improved means mounted for movement with the manikin assembly for attracting and holding a bowling ball in position before the hand'of the manikin prior to bowling action of the latter.

A further object is the' provision of improved switch means mounted with the manikin assembly anci actuated by the ball positioned as aforesaid for controlling certain circuit connections in the game.

Viewed from another aspect, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a manikin assembly for a miniature bowling game, said assembly including a swivel bracket adapted to be mounted on the underside of the bowling alley, a manikin carried by said bracket on the upper side of the alley and pivotable with the bracket into adjustable bowling positions, a manikin having a pivoted arm which engages a bowling ball, electromagnetic means carried with the bracket for pivoting the manikins arm to bowl the ball, magnetic means, preferably in the form of a permanent magnet, carried by the bracket on the underside of the board or alley for positioning a magnetic bowling ball, a control switchcarried with the bracket beneath the alley and operated by the bowling ball when in bowling position, and manually controlled means for pivoting the manikinLthe entire bracket assembly and associated'parts pivoting with the manikin.

Other objects, advantages and novel aspects of the invention reside in certain details of construction as well as the cooperative relationship ,r of the component parts of the illustrative embodiment described hereinafter in viewof the annexed drawing, in which:

Fig..1 is a fragmentary perspective of the front end of a miniature bowling alley, showing the manikin assembly; I Y

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of said assembly;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section through the bowling arm of the manikin and the ball positioning means; while Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram. The improvements of the present disclosure the arrangement and means whereby the manikin, the ball attracting means, the control means, and the manikin actuating mechanism are al1 assembled as a'unit so that the player oi.' the game may pivot the manikin to project the bowling ball variously, and all of the mechanism for actuating the manikin will be correspondingly moved.

l Referring to Fig. 1, the front end portion of a miniature bowling alley I0 is illustrated and includes a control button Il which actuates some form of switch l2 to energize electricalmeans which causes the pivoted arm I3 of a manikin I4 to move forward and project a magnetically attractable ball I5 toward tenpins (not shown) at the opposite end of the alley.

The manikin is mounted on a vertically extending rod I6 which passes through one leg and the foot of the manikin and a. bushing i1, which extends through a second bushing Ila in the board, to a level beneath the board for engage- `ment with a crank arm I 8 (Figs. 2 and 3).

The inner bushing I l is clamped in the hub portion I9 of a bracket assembly generally indicated at 20. The upright shaft I6 is free in the bushing I1 so that the latter may pivot theremovement of the manikin independently of shaft To pivot the manikin into positions of adjustment, theV bracket assembly is provided with a rocking arm 23 extending from the hub portion I9 and linked by means of a pin 24 to crank arm 25, the pin working in an elongated slot 26 in the end of the rocking arm. Crank arm 25l (Fig. 1) isxed to a stud shaft 21 mounted in the front end of the alley and secured to an adjusting knob 28 for actuation by the patron. Thus, by turning knob 28, the entire bracket assembly 20 may be swung in the bushing |1a to pivot the manikin into a desired position.

Mechanism for swinging the arm Il to simushaft I6 interiorly'of the manikin, which gear meshes with a companion gear 3| on a stud shaft 32 fixed to the bowling arm I3. By oscillating lever arm I8, shaft I8 will be rocked, with a consequent oscillation of the arm I3.

rihe means for actuating the bowling arm inc.udes an electromagnetic device-in the nature if a solenoid 35 mounted on a supporting arm 35 which extends from the hub portion I8 of the bracket assembly. An elongated ,plunger 31 vis pivotally'connected as at 38 with a pair of links 39 and 40 drivingly connected with the lever I8. The levez` arm I8 is provided with an offset I8a to 'which is attached one end of an elongated coll spring 4I anchored at its opposite end to the solenoid frame, this spring normally rocking lever I8 to withdraw the plunger or amature 31 from the bore of the solenoid.

Attention is called to the fact that the plunger 31 is somewhat smaller in diameter or cross section than the bore of the solenoid to provide sufficient play laterally in movements into and out of the solenoid to assure smooth positive action without elaborately centered and located pivotal connections between .the driving and driven parts. Buier springs 42 are arranged on opposite sides Vof the plunger to limit lateral play when the plunger is drawn to the limit of its outward movement. t

l Thus, energization of the solenoid 35 will attract the armature 31,swinging lever I8, which in turn pivots shaft I6 and moves the bowling arm I3 forward in simulated bowling action. Since the pull on the armature increases up to a certain point as the armature moves into the bore of the solenoid from its retracted position,

the leverage arrangement is calculated, through the links 39 and 40 and the arrangement of the lever arm I8,to provide a slow, as distinguished from abrupt, initial movement of the arm I3 which results in closer similitude of bowling action and smooth propulsion of the bowling ball. It is intended that the operating switch means II--I2 be connectedy ina circuit (Fig. 2) which will cause energization of `the solenoid.

'I'he bowling ball I5 is magnetically attractable and through operation of an elevating device schematically indicated at 50 in Fig. 4, is delivered into a runway 5I which'has a discharge end 52 (Fig. 1) disposed in the alley opposite the bowling hand of the manikin, and the operation of the game is such that the ball I5 will be raised by the elevator 50 responsive to automatic actuation of certain control means including an electromagnet 53 (Fig. 4), so that the ball runs down the chute 5I into position opposite the hand portion I3a on the manikin. In order to assure movement of the ball into a proper bowling position and to hold the ball in such position, there is provided magnetic means in the form of a bar magnet 55 clamped in split arm portions 55 extending from the hub portion I8 on the swivel bracket, one of the polar ends 55a of the magnet y being disposed immediately beneath the hand portion I3a to attract the ball into proper position. I'he arm I3, as we'll as the hand portion I3a, are preferably constructed of iron or other magneticA composition to concentratel the flux from the end of the magnet to increase the strength of the pull. on the ball. 4

It will be noted that when the manikin assembly is pivoted by manipulation of handle 28, the

'project the ball, the latter may glide easily on the smooth surface of the disc 58 to minimize the negative effort of the magnet in restraining the ball.

Supervisory control means movable with the assembly includes the provision of a spring switch.

50 attached to one of the clamp arms 55 with one of the ends 5I of one of the switch springs projecting up through an arcuate slot -52 in disc 58 just behind the hand I3a. A pin 53 projects from,the switch arm beneath the hand and a little forward of the latter so as to be engaged by the ball I5 when in attracted position, to move the contact arm 8l away from the companion arm 54, thus opening a circuit 55 with the elevator control magnet 53 (Fig. 4) so that the latter cannot be operated while there is a ball in bowling position. A stop pin 56 is mounted on the disc 58 on the far side opposite the discharge end 52 of the runway to prevent possible escape of the ball beyond the eld of the -magnet in some abnormal operation of the device.

While the projecting means herein has been described in detail as a manikin, it is contemplated that the projector may take other forms.

Operation in a desired manner, automatic mechanism having delivered the ball'down the runway 5I at the initiation of the game; thereafter the button II is pushed to close a control circuit through switch I2 (circuit connections of which are shown in Fig. 2), which ultimately results in the energization of the solenoid 35 attracting armature 31 and rocking the shaft l5 through lever I8 and the pinions 3II`3I and shaft 32, so that the previously positioned ball will be propelled by the `hand portion I3a from its attracted position on disc 58. Usually the player gets ten balls, constituting ve frames of two balls each. The

Anext ball will therefore be automatically elevated.

into the runway 5I and attracted, by the magnet 55 into proper position against the hand and the switch operating pin 53 for the next operation.

Since the game is intended for coin operation, the manikin is enclosed in a glass housing and it is important therefore that the ball delivering, positioning and projecting means function with absolute precision, for the escape of one of the balls would very likely interfere with the proper operation of the device, and moreover ,only two balls arev usually supplied with the machine. The oiiice of the supervisory switch 50 is to prevent delivery of a second ball shouldrthe rst ball still be positioned on the seat or plate 58.

The various advantages and objects of the invention may be accomplished by modications c1? tin` particular embodiment described herein, and it is intended that the appended claims shall include allequivalent arrangements fairly coming within theircall.

Having thus described myinvention, what l' claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patentis: I 1. In an amusement device of the class described, a manikin assembly including a swivel bracket and means mounting the same for movement about a vertical axis beneath a bowling. alley, a manikin mounted on the upper side of said alley for pivotal movement coaxlally with said swivel bracket, manually controlled means forv pivoting said swivel bracket to adjust the positions of the manikin, said manikin having a bowling arm arranged for movement to propel a bowling ball on said alley, and mechanism'carriedby said swivelbracket-for movement therewith and operatively connected with said bowlingarm for actuation to move the latter in bowling action, land means for positioning a magnetic bowling ball in av predetermined bowling posi- .tion relative to said bowling arm and including a magnet mounted on said swivel bracket for movement therewith and positioned beneath said alley and said bowling arm to attract and hold said ball in said position, and means for deliveringsaid ball into a position substantially opposite .said arm for operation as aforesaid.

2. In a bowling game including a manikin assembly comprising a swivel bracket'adapted to be mountedl beneath said alley for movement about a vertical axis, a manikin disposed on the upper side of said alley and supported for pivotal movement coaxially of said axis by means carried by said swivel bracket, mechanism for pivoting said bracket to move the manikin into ad-v justed positions, said manikin having ya pivoted arm and hand portion thereon arranged to propel a bowling ball on said alley, electromagnetic means mounted on said bracket and drivingly connected with said arm to pivot the latter for propulsion of said ball, and means movable with said bracket for effecting movement of a bowling ball into bowling position opposite said hand portion of themanikin.

3. In a' bowling game including an alley; a manikin assembly comprising a swivel bracket mounted on'the underside of said alleyffor rocking movement about a vertical axis, a manikin movably mounted on the upper side of said alley,

' means connecting said manikin and bracket for joint pivotal movement, means -drivingly connected with said bracket for pivoting the latter, said manikin having a pivoted4 bowling arm with a hand portion arranged adjacent said alley to engage a bowling ball thereon and propel said ball when said arm is pivoted from a normal position, means for pivoting said bowling arm including a solenoid carried by said bracket for movement therewith and including an armature drivingly connected with a shaft,

means extending coaxially of the aforesaid axisA and drivingly lconnected with said arm to pivot the latter when the armature is attracted from a normal position corresponding .to normal position of said arm, means yieldingly urging said j armature into normal position, ymeans for effecting movement of a bowling ball into position oppositesaid hand portion for propulsion by the latter when said solenoid is energized, and a control device mounted on said bracket and including an operating member projecting above said alley adjacent said hand for engagement bowling position. l v'4.In a bowling game including an alley, a manikin .assembly comprisingf a swivel/bracket mounted on the underside of said alley for rocking movement about a vertical axis, a manikin mounted on the upper side of said alley on means disposed coaxially of said axis, means connecting said manikin and bracket for joint pivotal movement, means drivingly connected with said bracket for pivoting the latter, said manikin having a pivoted bowling arm with a hand portion arranged adjacent said' alley to engage a bowling ball thereon and propel said ball when said arm is pivoted from a normal position,

means for pivoting said bowling arm including a solenoid carried byy said bracket for movement therewith and including an armature drivingly connected with a shaft means extending coaxially of the aforesaid axis and drivingly connected with said arm to pivot the latter when the armature is attracted from a normal position corresponding to normal position of said arm, means yieldingly urging said armature into normal position,A means for delivering a magnetic bowling ball'to a position closely adjacent said hand portion, and means for attracting and holding said ball in said position and including a magnetic device mounted on said bracket for movement therewith with a polar portion dismovement of said supporting device, means for pivoting said supporting device, said manikin having a pivoted bowling arm` with a hand portion disposed to engage said ballat said certain position to propel the ball when the arm is pivoted from a normal position, electromagnetic means mounted for movement with said supportingdevice and operatively linked with said arm to pivot the latter when energized, means yieldingly'urging said arm into said normal position, .and means for attracting and holding the ball in said bowling position and including the provisionv in said alley of an opening beneath said hand portion, a thin non-magnetic plate disposed in saidopening ilush with said alley, a magnet mounted for movement with said supporting device and arranged to propagate a eld of force vthrough said plate beneath said hand to attract and hold said ball when delivered t to said certain position, said ball being propelled from said position by operation of the bowling arm as aforesaid.

6. The device of claim 5 further characterized by the provision of supervisory control means in the nature of .a switch carried by said :supporting device and having .an operating element projecting through said plate adjacent :said hand -for engagement `and movement by said ball when the latter is attracted by said magnet.

'7. In an amusement device, a ball projecting unit for-use with magnetically 'attractable balls to be propelled on a playboard, said unit comprising, in combination, a swivel bracket mounted beneath said board for movement about a vertiprojecting element into said normal position, a

solenoid mounted on said swivel bracket beneath said board and including an armature operatively linked with said projecting element through an operating shaft extending coaxially of the pivotal axis of the bracket and projecting device, a permanent magnet mounted kon said bracket and having a polar portion disposed closely beneath said pivoted projecting element to attract and hold said magnetic ball in position for engagement and propulsion as aforesaid,vandv means for delivering said magnetic ball to a position substantially opposite said projecting element for attraction by the magnet as aforesaid.

8. In an amusement device of .the class described, ball projecting means comprising, in combination, 'a manikin,V means supporting said manikin for adjustable movement, mechanism for moving said supporting means into adjusted positions, said manikin having a ball projecting arm, a solenoid carried by said supporting means and operatively linked with said arm for actuation of the latter in projecting action, said arm having a hand portion to engage a ball for propulsion of the latter when the solenoid is energized, means for delivering a magnetic ball toward said hand, and magnetic means carried by said supporting means for attracting said ball into a position for engagement and propulsionv by said hand when the arm is pivoted as aforesaid. V

9. The device of claim 8 further characterized by the provision of a smooth ball supporting plat-l form of Anon-magnetic material and of adequate minimized thinness to support said ball anddisposed beneath said hand portion above said magnetic means, said magnetic means being disposed in close'proximity to said platform so as to exert its maximum magnetic attraction upon said ball.

10. The device of claim 8 further characterized by the provision of supervisory controlmeans in the form of a switch carried by said supporting means and including an operating element disposed adjacent said hand portion for engagement and movement by th'e ball when attracted as aforesaid, said supervisory control means being adapted to control mechanism said amusement device. A

11. A ball projecting unit for use in amusement apparatus including a ball playing board, said unit comprising a bracket, means for mounting said bracket to move about an axis normal to the plane of said board, a iigure, mounted on saidv bracket for pivotal movement coaxially with the bracket, said iigure including a ball projecting member adapted to be moved to engage and project a ball on said board, a solenoid mounted on said bracket for movement therewith and including an armature drivingly linked with said bali projecting member for actuation of the`latter.

when the solenoid is energized, a magnetic ball to be projected as aforesaid, means for delivering said 'ball toward saidprojecting member, Aand means'for attractingand holdingsaid ball in a associated with v position for engagement by-said projecting mem'- ber when the ball is delivered as. aforesaid, said means comprising a magnetic device mounted on said bracket for movement therewith and arranged adjacent said projecting member to attract said ball and hold the same yieldably to permitr projection thereof by subsequent actuation of the projecting member.

12. In a ball game of the type including a ball playing board and means for delivering a magnetically attractable ball to a projector, projecting means comprising: a carriage mounted for movement about a vertical axis beneath said board, projecting means-mounted on the top side of said board for pivotal movement coaxially of said carriage, said projecting means including a ball projecting member movable from a normal position to project a ball delivered 1 thereto as aforesaid, means mounted for movement with said carriage to actuate said projecting member, and magnetic means also moimted for movement with said carriageand arranged to attract and holdsaid magnetically attractable ball in a certain position relativeto said projecting member when the ball is delivered as aforesaid.

13. Ina dirigible ball projector, a carriage, a projectingmember mountedon said carriage and movable from a normal position to propel a magnetically attractable ball relative to a playing field, means for delivering va magnetically attractable ball toward said projector, and .magnetic means mounted for movement with said carriage and arranged to attract a ball delivered Vas aforesaid and hold said ball in a certain position relative to'said projecting member for propulsion as aforesaid. j

14. In an amusement device of the class described, ball projecting means comprising, in combination, a manikin, said manikin having, a ball projecting arm, means supporting said manikin 'for adjustable movement, mechanism forv hand, and means carried bysaid supporting means "for receiving and holding said ball in a position for engagement and propulsion by said hand when the arm is pivoted as aforesaid.

15. In an amusement device of the class described, .ball projecting means comprising, in'

combination, a manikin, said manikin having a ball projecting arm, means supporting said manikin for adjustable movement, mechanism foi moving said supporting means to adjust the posi. tion of the manikin, electromagnetic means operatively linked with said arm`for actuation. of the arm in' projecting action, said arm having a hand portion adapted to engage 'a ball for propulsion ofthe latter when the electromagnetic means iis energized, means for delivering a ball toward said hand, and means carried by said supporting means for receiving'and holding' said ball in a position for engagement and propulsion by said hand when the arm is pivoted as aforesaid.

f EDWARD J. COLLINS. 

